title: Toll-like receptor 2 or toll-like receptor 4 deficiency does not modify lupus in MRLlpr mice.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with a high morbidity and nephritis is a common manifestation. Previous studies in murine lupus models have suggest a role for Toll-like receptor 2 and 4. We examined the role of these molecules in MRL lpr mice which is one of the most established and robust murine models. We compared disease parameters in Toll-like receptor 2 or Toll-like receptor 4 deficient mice with their littermate controls. We found no difference in the severity of glomerulonephritis as assessed by histology, serum creatinine and albuminuria when Toll-like receptor 2 or Toll-like receptor 4 deficient MRLlpr mice were compared with Toll-like receptor sufficient controls. We also found similar levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-ssDNA antibodies. These results show that Toll-like receptor 2 and Toll-like receptor 4 do not play a significant role in MRLlpr mice, and therefore they may not be important in human lupus.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Freeley
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giorgini
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tulone
authors.forename: Reena J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Popat
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Horsfield
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Robson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; C493486:Tlr2 protein, mouse; C493487:Tlr4 protein, mouse; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4